Goodbye Softail, Hello Touring??
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 25
From:
Buffeting is hard to predict with fairings. Some here complain of severe buffeting, especially with the shorty windshields. There's always going to be at least minor buffeting, as the wind will come around the fairing/windshield and there's an air pocket there where it collides. How bad it is depends on a number of factors it seems and even individual perception of it.
How tall you sit in the seat, how tall or short the W/S is, type of helmet you wear, direction of the wind you're riding into, etc.
You'll find lots of threads here ref buffeting, but the answer is elusive and varies from one person to another.
How tall you sit in the seat, how tall or short the W/S is, type of helmet you wear, direction of the wind you're riding into, etc.
You'll find lots of threads here ref buffeting, but the answer is elusive and varies from one person to another.
I would recommend renting a bike before buying. I had no idea what I wanted when I bought my RK, just knew that I wanted something more comfortable than my Softail. I rented a Street Glide and Road King, and rode a friend's ultra. I didn't like the Ultra much really, it was too much. The tourpak really makes the bike feel heavier and not as nimble. I had a good sissybar bag at the time that I still use. Holds as much as a tour pack but is 40+lbs lighter. I'm glad I rented, because I ended up buying a Road King. Had I not rented I would have went with a street glide.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
Ride what you want to ride and what's most comfortable to you. Touring bikes are just too big for me. I love the Street Glide and it'd be the only one I'd get, if I had the money but I'm sticking with my Blackline.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 25
From: Malaysia
I just sold my Fatboy Lo and bought the 2013 Street Glide...and I love it! I'm 5'10" and the stock little windshield does cause buffeting around my face and upper chest area at speeds of about 90 kmh and above.I'm waiting for a buddy of mine who is also picking up the same bike with a ton of accessories and one of them is the 6.5" Klockwerks shield.They say it makes a world of a difference and I'll try his out to see if that is true before I do the same.Otherwise I have nothing negative to say about the new SG as compared to my 2011 Fatboy.I find it a little weird when somewhere in this forum there were guys taller than me complaining about the SG being too tall and they have footing problems and so on.I think the SG is very well balanced.The engine and transmission feels stronger and smoother respectively.The one thing you'd notice is the vibration on the SG compared to your softail.This is probably because the SG comes without the counter balancer.But I can live with that.Stock stereo is good enough for now although I'm already browsing all over for some cheap upgrading.It's easier to select neutral on the SG and I find the bike nimble with better ground clearance....damn..I'm making excuses just to ride it out to town even.Oh.did I tell you that they come with 2 spacious saddlebags which means you don't need that backpack when you travel...Just can't wait for my next ride outta town...Get the SG buddy,you won't regret it and it looks cool as heck.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County - So Cal
Easy to accomodate the feet. My boards are spaced outwards 3/4". I have longer shift levers and the front shift peg is spaced 2-1/2" outward. Plenty of room for my 6' 4" and size 15 boots and I don't have to twist my foot inward to shift.
I ride a Batwing with an 8" Wind Vest shield most of the time and am pretty happy with that combo. There lots of windshields to choose from. They are easy to swap on the Batwing (3 minutes). I have three for different reasons / seasons.
I ride a Batwing with an 8" Wind Vest shield most of the time and am pretty happy with that combo. There lots of windshields to choose from. They are easy to swap on the Batwing (3 minutes). I have three for different reasons / seasons.
Last edited by Mr. G; Jul 13, 2013 at 09:37 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia Suburbs
I went with the Ultra Limited over the RGU because it had far less wind buffeting for me and the GF but I'm sure others have had the opposite experience. Just make sure you test them both out with and without your passenger. Truth is I still love the Road Glide look more. Shame it didn't work out and I do love my Ultra Limited.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 121
From: Southern WV
Have several miles on a SG, RGC, RGU and UC. Stock the SG and RGC had some issues with helmet hammering wind. Either I'm too tall or the windshield is to short. RGU and UC manage the wind much better. Hard lowers make a big difference in airflow over the fairing on either style. Currently riding a RGU with a 12" Windsplitter and really like it.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 25
From: Malaysia
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County - So Cal
Aren't we giving him first hand opinions of what works for us and why. My post gave valid info on how to deal with long legs / big feet, and my preferred windshield on the Batwing. Many of us in Touring cannot give an opinion on the Softail cause we don't have one. My last Softail was 15 years ago. All I remember about it was it bottomed out way too easily